After more than two decades of serving the Questa and Taos communities as an educator and certified yoga therapist, Monique Parker is preparing to guide a wellness retreat to India in February 2026.
Parker has built her career blending education and holistic health. She taught English at UNM–Taos and Questa High School, co-founded and directed the yoga teacher training program at UNM–Taos, and ran a therapeutic yoga studio in Taos that supported the area’s aging population.
Her path to yoga therapy and wellness was shaped by personal experience. Years ago, Parker faced chronic health issues, including a serious gallbladder condition, that led her to Vaidyagrama Ayurveda Healing Village near Kerala in South India.
Known as the birthplace of Ayurveda, the hospital-ashram provides eco-friendly treatments rooted in one of the world’s oldest systems of medicine. There, Parker said, she avoided surgery and restored her gallbladder. She has been symptom-free for more than a decade. She also credits Ayurveda with resolving tinnitus she endured for nearly 20 years, along with digestive issues, insomnia, and arthritis.
“In a world of constant excess—a relentless flow of technology, food, and stimulation—we have forgotten the true voice of our bodies. We have lost touch with what metabolic hunger even feels like. This is an invitation to embrace the “food is medicine” philosophy, recognizing that inflammation and toxins are the root cause of disease. With ultra-processed foods making up 60% of many people’s diets, it’s no wonder so many feel sluggish and in need of a reset. For those with chronic indigestion or autoimmune symptoms, it’s a journey to reacquaint us with our own inner wisdom. This is a journey best taken in a community where doctors and therapists live alongside patients in the rhythms of nature, creating a supportive environment dedicated to holistic well-being.”
The 2026 retreat will include daily physician consultations, personalized treatments, nourishing vegetarian meals and support from both the Vaidyagrama team and Parker herself. Drawing on her background in yoga therapy and Vedic chanting, Parker will provide additional guidance to help participants deepen their journey.
One participant has already committed to bringing her 75-year-old mother, a sign of trust that Parker says “reinforces the importance of this work”.
The retreat is open to anyone who is seeking new approaches to health while maintaining their own faith. Traveling to India, Parker noted, offers access to world-class care at a fraction of the cost of comparable treatment in the United States.
A few spots remain available, and more information and complimentary consultations can be found at www.moniqueparkerstudios.com
Monique Parker serves as the Development Director and Sales Manager for Questa del Rio News. salesmanager@questanews.com
